The Empowered Road · Journal
The Empowered Road Begins
Learning to Let Go
For months, we have been planning The Empowered Road — a journey across the United States and Canada designed to deepen relationships, reconnect with longtime partners, make new friends, and share the mission and ministry of Haiti Empowered.
We have mapped routes, scheduled meetings, researched campgrounds, packed the camper, prepared presentations, and tried to anticipate just about everything we could possibly need.
And then, as departure approached, it seemed like just about everything that could go wrong… tried.
Our pickup ended up in the shop multiple times. Our camper developed a hydraulic leak. Then the slides suddenly stopped working. Parts had to be ordered. Repairs had to be made. Timelines shifted.
At one point, it felt like every time we solved one problem, another one raised its hand and said, “Don’t forget about me!”
And yet, in the middle of all of it, God was present.
So many people worked tirelessly to help us get ready for the road. Marley Automotive, Brinkley, and PleasureLand RV in Ramsey went above and beyond to help us diagnose problems, find solutions, track down parts, and make sure that both our truck and camper were as ready as possible for the miles ahead.
And then there was SpeedPro in Burnsville, who somehow squeezed us into their already-full schedule so Belle — yes, our camper has a name (don’t judge me) — could officially receive her Empowered Road “tramp stamp” on her backend. Our new decal proudly carries the logo, our QR code, and the invitation to Follow Our Journey.
One more reminder that even in the chaos, the journey was becoming real.
Perhaps the Delay Wasn’t Really a Delay
Originally, we expected to leave earlier.
That didn’t happen.
And as someone who really enjoys having a plan — and perhaps enjoys controlling that plan a little more than I should — this has been another lesson in learning to let go and trust God with the details.
Looking back, the delay became a gift.
The mechanical problems were discovered while we were still close to home, surrounded by people who could help us. Had the same problems surfaced hundreds of miles away, we could easily have lost far more than a few days.
The extra time also allowed us to finish several important Hope Night projects that desperately needed attention before we left.
And the people we were scheduled to meet along the way responded with incredible grace. Some meetings had to be canceled. Others were rescheduled. Everyone showed flexibility and encouragement.
It reminded me once again that my timeline isn’t necessarily God’s timeline.
Sometimes what feels like an interruption may actually be protection.
Sometimes a closed door is simply making space for another one.
And sometimes the thing I am desperately trying to control is the very thing God is asking me to release.
Covered in Prayer
On September 16, friends gathered with us on our deck for a simple prayer night before we left.
There was no elaborate program.
We talked about the journey, shared some of the challenges we were facing, stood together, and prayed.
Others who couldn’t be there physically paused from their own homes to pray with us.
It was powerful.
As people prayed for protection, divine appointments, safe travel, our family, Haiti Empowered, and the people we will meet along the road, I was reminded that Mo and I are not making this journey alone.
An entire community is going with us.
- Your prayers are going with us.
- Your encouragement is going with us.
- Your belief in this mission is going with us.
And we are incredibly grateful.
What Do You Pack for Nine Months?
Preparing to live on the road created another interesting challenge:
What exactly do you pack when you will experience multiple seasons and have no idea what you might need?
We had everything from pickleball paddles to pizza cutters. Sandals and shorts. Warm sweaters and jackets. Work clothes. Hiking clothes. Cooking supplies. Office supplies. Tools.
And approximately 947 things that at some point seemed absolutely essential.
As we packed — and unpacked — and repacked — I kept thinking about our Haitian families.
Many families in Haiti have been forced to leave their homes with little or no notice because of insecurity and violence.
They don’t have weeks to decide which shoes to bring. They don’t get to debate whether they might need a pizza cutter. Sometimes they simply have to go.
They have learned to adapt and have learned what it means to travel light.
THAT has convicted me!
I am reminded how attached I can become to the things of this world.
So I have been asking myself:
If I had to leave everything behind tomorrow, what would I actually need? What would matter? What would I take?
And perhaps the bigger question: What am I carrying through life that I don’t really need at all?
I don’t have a perfect answer yet.
I’m pretty sure Mo would tell you I still packed far too much.
But maybe that is another lesson God will teach me somewhere along The Empowered Road.
And Then… We Finally Left
This morning, at about 11:00, we finally pulled away.
It was cold. It was rainy. We were scared and excited all at the same time.
And just before leaving, we had one final moment of panic when the slides didn’t seem to be working again.
For just a moment, I thought, “You have got to be kidding me.”
Thankfully, we quickly discovered that a safety feature was doing exactly what it was supposed to do.
So apparently God is going before us — and Brinkley has also installed some very helpful features to protect us from doing something stupid.
We’ll take both.
Our original route was going to take us through La Crosse, but we adjusted course and ended up driving through a part of Iowa neither of us had ever seen.
And it was beautiful.
Yes, there were miles and miles of corn — as high as an elephant’s eye. But then the landscape began to change. We saw rolling hills. Winding roads. Beautiful vistas. Tiny towns tucked into the countryside.
As we crossed into Wisconsin, the clouds finally began to lift. And then… the rain stopped.
And suddenly, after all the planning, delays, repairs, prayer, packing and uncertainty, we looked around and realized:
We are actually doing this!
Tonight we will settle in at the Palace Campground in Galena, Illinois.
We put out a last-minute invitation for anyone nearby to come join us. Maybe someone will…. Maybe no one will.
Either way, we are praying for opportunities to share the mission of Haiti Empowered with whoever God puts in our path.
Because that is really what The Empowered Road is about.
Not simply getting from one destination to another. Not even seeing some incredible places along the way.
It is about people. Conversations. Relationships. And the stories we will gather along the way.
It is about trusting that God is already ahead of us, preparing moments we couldn’t possibly put on an itinerary.
I am learning that I don’t have to know every detail of what comes next.
I simply have to keep moving when He says go — and be willing to let go when plans change.
The road has officially begun.
And we can’t wait to see where it leads.
Every mile tells a story.Every stop changes lives.
Follow The Empowered Road →
More From the Road
Tap any photo to see it larger
Frequently Asked Questions
A few answers for friends following along
What is The Empowered Road?
The Empowered Road is a journey across the United States and Canada designed to deepen relationships, reconnect with longtime partners, make new friends, and share the mission and ministry of Haiti Empowered.
How long will the journey last?
The trip is planned for about nine months on the road, traveling through multiple seasons (which is why the camper holds everything from sandals to winter jackets).
When did The Empowered Road officially begin?
The journey officially began on September 20, after several delays for truck and camper repairs. The first overnight stop was the Palace Campground in Galena, Illinois.
Why was the departure delayed?
The pickup needed several trips to the shop, and the camper developed a hydraulic leak and slide problems. Finding these issues close to home turned out to be a blessing, and the extra time allowed several important Hope Night projects to be finished before leaving.
How can I follow the journey?
Scan the QR code on the Empowered Road decal on the back of the camper (you can’t miss Belle), or visit the Empowered Road page for updates from the road.
Can I meet up with the team along the way?
Yes! Invitations are shared for people near each stop to come visit. If The Empowered Road is passing through your area, check the Empowered Road page and reach out to Haiti Empowered about connecting.
How can I support The Empowered Road?
Pray for protection, safe travel, divine appointments, and the people met along the road. Share the mission of Haiti Empowered with others, and follow along as the stories unfold.